Chapter 13 – Lines That Can’t Be Crossed

The Stone family residence had never felt so tense.

Damien stood by the tall window of the study, his phone clenched in his hand, jaw tight. The city below glittered indifferently, unaware that something inside the Stone household was about to fracture.

“Dad?”

Aiden’s small voice made him turn.

The boy stood at the doorway, shoulders slightly hunched, fingers nervously gripping the hem of his sweater. His eyes—Damien’s eyes—searched his face with a mixture of fear and hope.

Damien’s chest tightened.

“Come here,” he said softly.

Aiden walked in, slow and careful, like someone unsure if they were welcome. Damien crouched in front of him immediately, bringing himself down to eye level.

“Did something happen?” Damien asked gently.

Aiden hesitated. His lips parted, closed again.

Then, in a whisper: “I don’t like it when Vanessa shouts.”

Something inside Damien went cold.

“She shouts at you?” he asked, keeping his voice calm with effort.

Aiden nodded. “And… sometimes she squeezes my arm really hard. She says it’s because I don’t listen.”

Damien’s hands curled into fists.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked quietly.

Aiden’s eyes filled with tears. “She said… if I did, you’d be angry with me.”

That was it.

The line had been crossed.

Later that afternoon, May arrived at the Stone Corporation building for a scheduled executive review. The moment she stepped out of the elevator, heads turned.

She wore a tailored ivory suit, her posture effortless, her presence commanding without trying. Conversations paused. Assistants straightened. Executives glanced twice.

“She’s stunning,” someone whispered.

“But it’s not just that,” another murmured. “She’s… composed. Like she owns the place.”

May walked calmly, unfazed. She had long learned that admiration was best received with grace—not arrogance.

Inside the boardroom, Daxton Stone sat at the head of the table, cane resting against his chair, sharp eyes watching her every move.

“So,” he said, voice gravelly. “Meeting the famous May Austin once again.”

May met his gaze evenly. “I’m honored you know my name that well, Mr. Stone.”

A few board members stiffened.

Daxton’s lips twitched—not quite a smile. “Confidence. Good. Sit.”

As the meeting progressed, May presented her proposal with precision—data-driven, innovative, and bold. She didn’t oversell. She didn’t hesitate. Every answer was clear, firm, and intelligent.

When one executive attempted to undermine her with a condescending remark, she responded smoothly, dismantling his argument without raising her voice.

Daxton watched closely.

Sharp mind. Strong spine, he noted. And no fear.

Interesting.

Meanwhile, at May’s home, Lily was helping Aria with her drawings while keeping a watchful eye on Aiden, who sat quietly on the couch.

“You okay?” Lily asked gently.

Aiden nodded, then shook his head.

Aria scooted closer immediately. “You can tell us. Mum says our house is a safe zone.”

Aiden swallowed. “Vanessa doesn’t like me going out. Or laughing too loud.”

Lily’s hands stilled.

“That’s not okay,” she said firmly but gently. “No one gets to make you feel small.”

Aiden looked up at her, eyes bright. “Mum says that too.”

Lily smiled softly. “She’s very smart, your mum.”

Aiden frowned slightly. “She feels… familiar. Like I’ve always known her.”

Lily’s heart skipped—but she said nothing.

Some truths needed time.

That evening, Damien arrived at May’s apartment unannounced.

May opened the door, surprised—but not startled.

“Is everything okay?” she asked immediately.

Damien stepped inside, his expression conflicted, intense.

“I need to talk to you,” he said. “About Aiden. And Vanessa.”

May’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “I was hoping you would.”

She gestured for him to sit.

He didn’t.

“I confronted Aiden today,” Damien said. “He told me everything.”

May nodded slowly. “Then you know why I stepped in.”

“You went behind my back,” he said—but there was no anger in his voice.

“I protected a child who was hurting,” May replied evenly. “If that offends you, say it.”

Damien looked at her for a long moment.

Then, quietly: “It doesn’t.”

He exhaled sharply. “It terrifies me… how much I trust you.”

Their eyes locked.

“You don’t trust me,” May said softly. “You trust your instincts. And they’re finally awake.”

Silence settled between them—thick, charged.

“I’m ending the engagement,” Damien said suddenly.

May stiffened. “Damien—”

“I won’t expose my son to fear,” he continued. “Not for appearances. Not for family pressure. Not for my grandfather.”

A flicker of something unreadable crossed May’s face—relief tangled with caution.

“Daxton won’t take that lightly,” she said.

Damien’s lips curved faintly. “I know.”

At the Stone residence later that night, Daxton listened quietly as Damien spoke.

When Damien finished, the old man tapped his cane once against the floor.

“Good,” he said.

Damien blinked. “Good?”

“My great-grandson deserves better than fear,” Daxton replied. “And Vanessa… was a poor choice.”

Damien stared.

Daxton leaned back. “That woman you’re circling—May Austin.”

Damien’s shoulders tensed.

“She’s dangerous,” Daxton continued. “Not because she’s weak—but because she’s strong. And she doesn’t bow.”

A pause.

“I admire that,” Daxton added quietly.

Damien’s heart pounded.

Back at May’s apartment, the children slept peacefully.

May stood at the window, arms wrapped around herself, a strange ache in her chest.

Something was shifting—fast.

Behind her, Lily spoke softly, “Sis… whatever’s coming, you’re not alone.”

May turned, smiling faintly. “I know.”

But deep down, she felt it.

The truth was drawing closer.

And when it arrived—

Nothing would remain the same.